Dream Walker

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Author's Notes: I will no longer be leaving comments to reviews on posted chapters but will try to e-mail those who do review to thank them personally. Also no more quotes just to play it safe. Other wise know your reviews are appreciated. Sorry about the long delay in posting. For those who don't know Murphy's law is if anything can go wrong it will, and at the most inoppurtune moment. Thanks Ramica.

Chapter Twelve: Murphy in effect

Donatello:

It was chilling to think, to even contemplate, that Akuma might be aware that we were connected to April, or perhaps it was visa versa but considering the mess April's apartment was now in and the message left on the bathroom mirror what other conclusion was there?

I wanted to believe that it was only coincidence, a bit of luck on the demon's part, to pick this one apartment over hundreds of others in the city, to leave his message to us, that happenstance allowed Akuma to pick the one apartment that we would come to, even if only on an occasional basis.

Most likely the beast had picked up a stray or lingering scent of us from there and tracked it down to April's apartment.

Yes, that was it. That made sense! I told myself, it was running on instinct plain and simple as it had almost from the beginning, and thus it picked up our scent. My rational mind jumped on that thought and clung to it as if it was the only means of survival.

Yet, I knew that I was only trying to convince myself of that matter, Akuma was more intelligent then what we were willing to give it credit. The crude but effective message for us clearly informed us of the beast's knowledge.

Personally, I was rather shocked to realize that Akuma even had the ability to write even if his writing skills seemed to have come from hooked on phonics, still those words managed to send an effective chill up and down my spine.

It was simple matter of course, I could not deny the truth or what was obvious for if I did, it meant that my brothers and I could be in very serious danger. I knew even Leo had to be weighing the odds, the probability of the situation to verify his thoughts. True Leo might come to me for a second opinion, and if he did I could not afford to lead him astray I would have to tell him exactly what I thought and believed based upon what I saw here.

What I observed filled me with trepidation and a cold feeling that rose up through my entire body, and had nothing to do with being cold blooded. I was sure that somehow over the next few days we would lose one or more members of our family.

I recalled telling Leo, back in the infirmary during my recuperation from the demon's sneak attack at the dump, that Akuma was capable of learning from its mistakes, but what I observed in April's apartment said Akuma didn't just learn from mistakes it made, it was capable of thinking, plotting ahead to a certain degree, which meant it could possibly set a trap for us.

Perhaps Akuma could learn more then was possible, it could think for itself. Then again wasn't Akuma in some ways like us, a mutant.

I didn't like this path of thought I was on but I couldn't seem to divert it now that I was there.

Akuma, if it could think ahead, could possibly conceive of the idea of picking us off slowly one by one, and we would surely fall for it, because we were so busy considering that the beast was nothing more then a dumb animal. That was probably why we failed and continued to fail every time we faced this monstrosity, we thought of it as a stupid animal. How could something this grotesque, so unnatural be able to out think us?

As I reflected on it I realized Akuma had showed its cunning at almost every step of the way.

A dumb animal who was hurt might panic and create havoc topside, before lying low. Akuma had known we wouldn't follow it into the park, so if it stayed below in the sewers it was trapped its life was in danger. So it ran for safety, ran for survival but on getting to where it could be safe, it hadn't harmed a single person, granted it might have scared the horse that ended up bolting and harming a person, but Akuma had not attacked any humans at that time.

Akuma had smashed into our home only after Mike and Leo had walked Jennifer back topside. Akuma knew I was hurt and perhaps might not put up a major fight. There was also an aged rat, if Akuma had scented Splinter; it may have believed our Master to be weak and easy prey.

I was ninja yes, and there have been times that I had been afraid before this, moments when I was certain that we would meet our end, but I have never felt as I did at this particular moment. There was an echoing hollow place that filled me with a feeling of dread and fear; I wanted to run, to hide. This wasn't just being afraid this was out, and out terror. I knew we could not continue to underestimate this beast, for it would be our down fall.

I was very certain of that fact, so it seemed one did not have to be psychic to have premonitions of the future. I shuddered visibly and walked towards the living room where Leo was doing his best to convince a rather reluctant April to leave town. April wasn't interested; she could be very stubborn at times.

"Leo I just can't up and leave. I have work to consider and…"

"April, your work can wait, take it with you. Just leave New York for your own safety. The thing that wrecked your apartment could return and hurt you. It is dangerous" Leo insisted.

Raph leaned against the wall arms crossed over his plastron glowering as he listened to the debate finally he shot Leo a withering stare, and went to stand over April "Are you going to get your stuff packed or am I packin' for ya. I might not pack what you want or need either" his voice was low quiet, as he arched an eye ridge in an almost sinister way.

Some people mistakenly believe that when Raph gets angry he shouts, yells, screams and pushes for a fight. Sure in arguments, that is what he is like, he postures and he bluffs in an argument. When Raphael is angry he doesn't act that way, not in the least. His voice drops and he gets very dark, it is hard to explain unless you have seen it, and predatory might be the best way to explain it. He postures then but he means it, there is no bluff, he threatens when he is angry and he intends on carrying out those threats. There is a whole different sense and feel to him then, and you really don't want to mess with it or him at that point in the game, for that is truly when Raph is at his worst, he is cold and calculating and he can kill faster then at any other time.

He gave a sly grin of sorts "Now you get packed and ready before I take you out and take ya somewhere safe no matter what ya want. This is not multiple choice April. It is pure ultimatum" he challenged, "Either you do it of your own free will or I do it and you won't like it if I do it." He assured her in his tight way.

Leo shot Raph a warning glare that was intimidating in itself, speaking silent volumes that Raph was over stepping his boundaries, but Raph had never paid much attention to where the line was drawn, nor was he one to heed any of Leo's warnings, no matter what form they took.

Raph just smirked and arched an eye ridge "You're the leader Leo as a leader once in a while an order works well. We don't 'zactly have time ta debate this. She goes, it is that simple." Raph declared in his smug way.

April snorted a bit as if denying that possibility, but Raph shot her a look that silenced anything she might have said, she knew better then to say anything.

Leo sought to appease her "We don't want you getting hurt April, your life ought to be more important then anything that you would be staying for here. Give us three days." He almost begged.

My mind was still going over the chaos in April's apartment, wondering if anyone had heard the noise and called the police, if so they were being slow in responding if they had been called, which made me think that no one had bothered to inform the authorities.

Suddenly an idea popped into my head, it must have been churning somewhere in the back of my mind since observing the destruction, but had not formed into anything until just now.

I had no idea why I hadn't thought of it immediately, why none of us had even considered it. Perhaps our concern for April and the realization that Akuma had out thought us must have thrown us all for a loop. None of us were thinking beyond April, thinking ahead to what happened next, meanwhile Akuma was running figurative circles around the lot of us.

"Leo we have to try and reach Jennifer, Akuma might be going after her at this very moment" I blurted out.

Mike groaned and smacked a palm on his forehead muttering "Of all the stupid, idiotical."

Leo gave Mike a strange look "Don usually has a good reason, and it is possible that Akuma has tracked Jennifer down if he found April…" Leo began.

"I didn't mean Don, Leo" Mike clarified, "I meant us."

I was filled with a strong desire to go, and do so right now, ever since I had reached that conclusion, it had become almost imperative to track down Jennifer and make sure that she was all right as well.

Perhaps April's place had only been destroyed to cause a diversion, Akuma's real prize wasn't April, but the girl who had knowledge of the beast, and perhaps the ability to control it, and there was no doubt that they were connected in some odd way.

"Aw, man this just keeps getting worse. It is a real Murphy's Law thing and by the time we are done with Akuma I am going after Murphy and give him a ninja kicking he won't forget." Mike sounded almost serious as if he fully intended on doing just that.

A hard look crossed Mike's face making him look instantly older then he was. He gripped the handles of his nunchukus and he gave a displeased shake of his head.

Leo glanced at Raph, "Stay with April." He decided, "The rest of us will check on Jennifer."

"How do we do that Leo she didn't give us an exact address you know?" Mike wondered.

"We know the general area Mike. We will find it" Leo declared as we headed for the rooftops at top speed. I blocked out the pain of my injuries, not allowing it to interfere knowing that there was no time to favour wounds or to give anything less then what I was.

This was all a part of being ninja.

Jennifer:

I wasn't very comfortable about going out with my Aunt, to say I was uneasy was putting things mildly, I half expected Akuma to pounce from every back alley we passed, or attack from any shadowy place we went by. A few times a noise or some thing that just didn't seem right caused me to glance warily over my shoulder. Yeah, okay I admit it I was paranoid.

Course Aunt Crystal wasn't about to listen to me, insisting that stories of monsters in New York were nothing more than vicious rumours.

"Your thinking of the everyday crook or drug dealer" I pointed out in exasperation.

"Of course Jen, the monsters of our childhood become the rapist, and boogey man of our later years. Those sort of people though, you can run into anytime and anywhere, if they want you they will get you." Aunt Crystal declared, as she arched an eye brow at me, "There is no end to what humans will do to hurt their fellow man. The rest of us can either live in fear of that or rise above our fear."

I sighed reflectively wondering how to explain to her, the difference in the situation, or even how to begin to tell her so she could fully understand.

All I could do in this instance was mutter "Not quite like this one."

"Very much like it, if you think about it" she disputed, "fact of life crime happens, in a big city like New York you may end up with more crime then the quiet out of way towns, but you can never escape it." Aunt Crystal turned to face me and gripped me by my shoulders, "Life Jennifer is for living and making of it what you can. Don't sit in a corner and let it pass you by, or live in fear of stepping out your door in case the sky falls and hits you on the head." She smiled her tone was light and slightly mocking.

I nodded in agreement, knowing it was good advice, especially for one such as my self, where the images I saw could cause me to live a sheltered life. Still how could I fully accept, or even dispute, this advice when I knew the truth about the monster. I knew Akuma was real.

Aunt Crystal must have seen some doubt or uncertainty in my eyes for she gave a concerned scowl "You have never been this fearful before Jen, what troubles you so, a vision perhaps?"

"Yes, and one of great danger and …well…" I paused not knowing how to continue further without sounding like I ought to be locked up somewhere for my own safety and sanity.

Aunt Crystal nodded "You know that not all premonitions come true, what you see often allows you to change the events so that what you may fear will not come to pass." She assured me tenderly.

"I know but this time I don't think it can be avoided" I replied honestly.

"Then maybe you ought to face it and see if it is all that you fear or believe it may be." She hinted, "Come now we can head out on the town and seize the night for I'm not going back home for at least three hours." She warned me as she strode off down the street.

I was forced to run after her, she was right in the fact that staying at home wouldn't ease my fears of Akuma finding us any so I shrugged my shoulders and decided to make the most of the evening's entertainment.

…

We returned back to the apartment around nine thirty, in spite of my misgivings I had been able to enjoy our night on the town, we had gone out for dinner, and on the spur of the moment took in an off Broadway show, done by a comedian who was doing some sort of play, consisting entirely of himself to make up the whole cast. I had figured it would be rather 'cheesy' event but it turned out to be extremely hilarious, and my sides were hurting from all of my laughing by the time we left.

My Aunt and I had walked back home sharing favourite one liners from the fellow's show.

We entered the darkened apartment Aunt Crystal started heading down the hall towards the washroom, while I went to flip on the living room lights, I thought I detected a strange, but oddly familiar scent. I sniffed a few times as I tried to figure out what it was.

Before I could figure it out a dark shape pounced from kitchen area, grunting noisily as it did so, assuring me that this was no ordinary burglar that had been lying in wait, even the shadowy silhouetted form was all wrong for the intruder to be human.

Aunt Crystal screamed as Akuma slashed her with its front claws and bit her sharply, its many teeth cutting into her flesh.

"Akuma" I hissed, not sure how the creature had found me but knowing it had tracked me down and been waiting for me.

Aunt Crystal struggled to break free, beating at Akuma's face with her hands and trying to pull free of the demon's teeth, it didn't help matters for by trying to pull free she was only hurting herself more, and Akuma didn't care for her feeble strikes, he growled shaking her like a rag doll.

I bit my bottom lip staring in rapt disbelief at the monster, which seemed to fill the hallway, Akuma's nose wrinkled as it snarled at me, holding my Aunt firmly in its grip it began to back away.

My breathing quickened, as I stood rooted to the spot, I knew I had to do something but I didn't know what I ought to try, and I was so afraid that no matter what I did it would be the wrong thing, and my Aunt would be the one to suffer from it. I hesitated as I nervously licked and chewed at my lips before I took a very wary step forward.

"Back off let her go" I spoke hesitantly, my voice no more than a whisper.

Akuma harruffed and swung out with a front paw causing me to halt dead in my tracks, not wanting to advance further for fear that Aunt crystal would pay the price.

I knew she needed help, I could see the blood, it seemed like an awful lot of blood flowing from the many wounds and worse yet I could smell the coppery scent of the blood, and my Aunt now seemed to be very still in Akuma's jaws.

I didn't know if she was just waiting or if she was unconscious or something even worse then that.

I felt a sudden burst of anger rise up inside me, a consuming rage that came out of nowhere and I glowered in fury at the beast " Back off get out of here" I yelled at it, I stalked forward being careful not to get in range of the lethal claws. "Go on get the hell out of here and leave us alone!"

Akuma's ears twitched, then he shifted its bulk uneasily from foot to foot.

"Drop her and get out!" I ordered sharply.

Akuma made a low whining noise as he loosened his hold, allowing my Aunt's body to slump to the floor in a tiny pool of blood between the hideous beast forepaws. Akuma harrumphed before it turned and left quickly.

I stood shaking, my legs suddenly didn't want to hold me up but I managed to somehow make it to my Aunt's side before my legs gave out, they didn't even have the strength to carry me where I could verify that Akuma had indeed left the premises.

This was all my fault. I shouldn't have come here.

Suddenly I heard something and I jumped to my feet suddenly certain that Akuma had returned to finish the job, and that thought was all it took to cause me to start crying.

"Jennifer it is us" came a voice, "It's Leo, Mike and Don are with me."

I felt such relief at those words but somehow it only caused me to cry harder, as they entered the living room.

"We're too late" Don muttered then cursed loudly, something I would never have expected of him.

"No your not" I replied, "I think Akuma must have scented you coming and he decided to leave." I was sure that was the only reason why Akuma had vanished when he did. "But Aunt Crystal…"

Leo hauled out his cell phone to call for an ambulance; he was giving me a strange unreadable look.

Don dropped down beside me, while Mike brushed past to search the hallway and kitchen, but I knew Akuma wasn't here. I wasn't sure how I knew, I just did. Meanwhile Don was checking my Aunt over with extreme care, he gave a small smile.

"Your Aunt should be all right Jennifer" he assured me.

I was thankful for the turtles timely intervention, even though the rest of me felt extremely cold with fear, because Akuma hadn't just tracked me down, it had now caused injury to someone I loved and I was sure that I, had been the intended target of the demon's attack.

TBC